HomeCoursesCommunity servicesDiploma
Diploma · national qualification
Diploma of Community Services
This diploma is for people who want to work in community services, supporting individuals, families and groups through difficult periods and helping them make changes in their lives.
- How long it takes
- 6 to 24 months
- full time at TAFE NSW
- What it costs
- From $9,500
- Subsidised at TAFE Queensland, full fee up to $25,106
- How you can study
- Online, on campus or a mix
- Includes a work placement
- Taught by
- 44 providers
- Every state and territory
Is this course right for you?
What the Diploma of Community Services asks of you, and what you might want to check first.
It helps to have
- an interest in supporting people through difficult periods
- patience and calm when someone is in crisis
- respect for people from all backgrounds and cultures
- good communication skills for working with individuals and families
Before you start
Each provider sets its own entry requirements, so check the ones you are considering.
Diploma or Bachelor?
The Bachelor of Community Services is a higher level qualification. This diploma reflects the role of community service workers involved in delivery, management and coordination of person-centred services, working autonomously under broad directions from senior management.
See the courseWhere this course can take you
No job needs this course on its own, but it can help with the work below.
Jobs this course can help with
None of these jobs needs a set qualification.
Case Manager
Case managers coordinate the services a client needs and stay with them while the plan is carried out, working between the person and the health, welfare or justice systems involved.
Median pay$68,600 (estimate)
In demand
Community Arts Worker
Community arts workers run creative projects with local groups, using art to build connection and give a community a say in its own culture.
Median pay$65,000 (estimate)
Community Development Officer
Community development officers work with local groups, councils and services to find out what a community needs and help build the programs that meet it.
Median pay$95,900
Student Services Adviser
Student services advisers help students work through enrolment, course choices and the personal difficulties that get in the way of finishing a qualification.
Median pay$77,000 (estimate)
In demand
If you study further
Pay is the median for everyone in the job, and “In demand” means the job is on the national shortage list. Pay marked as an estimate is our own analysis, not a published figure.
What it costs
Subsidised place
From $9,500
at TAFE Queensland. Whether you get a subsidised place depends on your state, residency, age and earlier study.
Paying the full fee
$13,300 to $25,106
across the TAFEs listed below. Private providers set their own fees.
| TAFE | State | Subsidised | Concession | Full fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chisholm Institute | VIC | $13,336 | $23,021 | |
| GOTAFE | VIC | $15,064 | $25,106 | |
| Holmesglen Institute | VIC | $9,756 | $20,190 | |
| TAFE Queensland | QLD | $9,500 | $8,340 | $13,300 |
Chisholm InstituteVIC
- Subsidised
- $13,336
- Full fee
- $23,021
GOTAFEVIC
- Subsidised
- $15,064
- Full fee
- $25,106
Holmesglen InstituteVIC
- Subsidised
- $9,756
- Full fee
- $20,190
TAFE QueenslandQLD
- Subsidised
- $9,500
- Concession
- $8,340
- Full fee
- $13,300
Fees as each TAFE shows them on its website, read 20 September 2026. Private providers set their own fees.
Where you can study this course
There are 44 places you can study this course. When you compare them, check they teach it the way you want to study, how far you'd be from a campus, what it will cost you and what past students say about the teaching and support. They're listed by how often people search for them, and none of them pays to be here or to move up.
- Website for Melbourne Polytechnic (opens in a new tab)
Melbourne Polytechnic
13 campuses, VIC
3.7from 485 Google reviews
What students like
- Some teachers are supportive and go out of their way
- Student services offer understanding and compassion
What to weigh up
- Messages to staff can go unanswered
- Enrolment mistakes can take time to fix
- Course page for TAFE NSW (opens in a new tab)
TAFE NSW
15 campuses, NSW
4.0from 2,410 Google reviews
- How you study
- Online or on campus
- How long
- 6 to 24 months
What students like
- Teachers are supportive and ready to help
- Staff are helpful and friendly
- Course content is practical and industry relevant
What to weigh up
- Enrolment and admin can be slow
- Some find front desk staff less helpful
- Website for Victoria University (opens in a new tab)
Victoria University
11 campuses, NSW, QLD, VIC
3.9from 1,562 Google reviews
What students like
- Lecturers are friendly, supportive and approachable
- Studying one subject at a time through the block model
- Staff are welcoming and ready to help
What to weigh up
- Admin can be hard to reach after you finish
- Website for Stanley College (opens in a new tab)
Stanley College
4 campuses, SA, WA
4.3from 882 Google reviews
What students like
- Finance staff are patient and explain fees clearly
- Student services staff are friendly and helpful
- Trainers explain clearly and give practical examples
What to weigh up
- Enrolment and admin can be slow
- Website for Swinburne University of Technology (opens in a new tab)
Swinburne University of Technology
8 campuses, VIC
4.0from 1,190 Google reviews
What students like
- Lecturers and tutors are supportive and want students to succeed
- Student HQ and support staff are helpful and responsive
What to weigh up
- Enrolment and admin can be slow
- You may be passed between departments
- Website for TAFE Gippsland (opens in a new tab)
TAFE Gippsland
11 campuses, VIC
3.9from 113 Google reviews
What students like
- Lecturers are approachable and care about learning
What to weigh up
- Enrolment and admin can be slow
- Course page for TAFE Queensland (opens in a new tab)
TAFE Queensland
3 campuses, QLD
4.1from 2,040 Google reviews
- How you study
- Online or on campus
- Fee
- From $9,500 subsidised
What students like
- Teachers are helpful and supportive
What to weigh up
- Poor communication from admin
What you’ll learn
20 units: 12 that everyone takes and 8 you choose.
- Assessing client needs
- Case management
- Crisis response
- Domestic and family violence
- Running service programs
- Cultural safety practice
See all 12 core units
Core units
Everyone completes these. Select a unit to see what it covers.
Loading the details for CHCCCS004…
Loading the details for CHCCCS004…
Questions to ask before you enrol
Providers run this course differently, so the answers change from one to the next.
- When is the next intake, and how many are there each year?
- What is the total cost, including materials, checks and any placement costs?
- Can I study part time or online, and how does that change the length?
- Who arranges the work placement, and how many hours does it involve?
- Do the units count towards a higher qualification if I go on to study further?
Questions people ask
Who is this qualification for?
This diploma is for people who want to work in community services, supporting individuals, families and groups through difficult periods. It prepares you for roles such as aged care coordinator, case manager, disability support coordinator, family support worker, housing officer, youth worker and welfare worker. At this level, workers have specialised skills, work autonomously under broad directions from senior management, and may supervise other workers and volunteers.
Do I need experience or other qualifications first?
Entry requirements are set by each provider, so check with the provider you choose.
How is it different from Bachelor of Community Services?
The Bachelor of Community Services is a higher level qualification. This diploma reflects the role of community service workers involved in delivery, management and coordination of person-centred services, working autonomously under broad directions from senior management.